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Purchase & Installation of Echosounder System

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

29 Oct 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate is seeking a scientific, multi-frequency, wideband echosounder system to replace the ageing equipment aboard its research vessel, Alba Na Mara. The requirement covers supply and installation, including compatibility with the vessel’s retractable sonar pod and its recently fitted transducer. The system will support depth and water-column measurements, seabed assessment and acoustic surveys used to monitor pelagic fish such as herring, mackerel, sprat and blue whiting. The resulting data informs fish-stock assessments and advice on quotas. This is a marine scientific equipment procurement, in the field of sonar and echo-sounder equipment (CPV 38114000). Delivery and installation are for use around Scotland and offshore.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure. This is a single-lot procurement. The tender deadline was 30 November 2026 at 12:00, and offers were to be submitted electronically in English. The estimated contract value is £150,000. The contract period is 6 January to 31 March 2027. Evaluation gives 50% to the technical solution and delivery and 30% to price; the published description also states that the supplier questionnaire is assessed pass or fail. Bidders could not propose variants. The stated economic thresholds include specific annual turnover of at least £150,000 in each of the last two years, public liability insurance of £1 million, a current ratio above 0.8 and positive net profit over the two-year cycle. Bids must remain valid for 180 days.

This opportunity is best suited to suppliers with demonstrable experience supplying and installing scientific acoustic equipment for marine research vessels, and the technical resources to integrate a system with existing vessel equipment and transducers. Bidders must provide three relevant examples from the previous five years and show the technicians, staff, facilities, tools and technical equipment they can call on. They must also describe supply-chain tracking, quality controls, environmental management and any intended subcontracting. Quality assurance requires either an independently accredited BS EN ISO 9001 certificate, or a documented, senior-authorised quality management policy that is regularly reviewed and appropriate to the work. The buyer may check technical capacity and quality measures. The requirement involves outfitting a working research vessel, so suppliers need the capacity to complete supply and installation within the specified contract period.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase & Installation of Echosounder System

Notice Description

The Scottish Ministers, Marine Directorate invites tenders for the purchase and installation of a scientific, multi-frequency, wideband, echosounder system to replace the existing Simrad EK60 echosounder system on our Marine Research Vessel (MRV) Alba Na Mara.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The MRV Alba Na Mara, is currently equipped with an aging, ( ~20 years), scientific echosounder system operating at 3 individual frequencies (38, 120 and 200 kHz). The current system is now unsupported in terms of replacement components. Recently, the existing 38 kHz ES38B transducer was damaged beyond repair. A new ES 38-7 transducer was fitted in dry dock but is not supported by the current EK60 system. The transducers are mounted on a retractable sonar pod. As well as continually providing water column depth, productivity and information on seabed type these acoustic devices are the primary tools used in the creation of population indices for pelagic species including herring, mackerel, sprat and blue whiting. Data which is vital in producing accurate stock assessments for the respective species throughout the North East Atlantic, the North Sea and in Scotland's sea lochs. In co-operation with ICES partners, stock assessments, along with landing and discard data, allow Marine Directorate colleagues to provide advice around the setting of quotas for these important fish stocks.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000847010
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT567675
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

38100000 - Navigational and meteorological instruments

38110000 - Navigational instruments

38114000 - Echo sounders

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
30 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
6 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Government
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB11 9DB
Postcode Area
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Torry/Ferryhill
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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